D400 - new look / form factor

While we are guessing away at the sensor and spec ... anyone favour a change in form?

Like the D3 vs D700 shape with the D3 having a built in grip and super battery performance. How about the D400 coming out as a DX body with a D3 form factor. It wouldn't need to be quite so big but imagine a D7000/D400 with built in vertical grip.

I'd love a D3, I had a couple of well used D2H bodies, but the price of the D3 line is way out of my budget, a new look D400 DX pro mini D3 would be something I'd love to have.
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LensLineup said:

Like the D3 vs D700 shape with the D3 having a built in grip and super battery performance. How about the D400 coming out as a DX body with a D3 form factor. It wouldn't need to be quite so big but imagine a D7000/D400 with built in vertical grip.

I'd love a D3, I had a couple of well used D2H bodies, but the price of the D3 line is way out of my budget, a new look D400 DX pro mini D3 would be something I'd love to have.

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Not me. I prefer a detachable grip. Compare the difference between the D2X, 150 mm, 1070 g, and the D3, 157 mm, 1250 g. Once you add 2.8 lenses, the difference in bulk and weight is negligible.

I prefer the D400 to be lean and mean. Hopefully the detachable grip will be redesigned to the taste of those who want a grip.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

Now that there's the D7000 semi-tough model for those wanting compact, I definitely prefer the full pro setup for the TOTL DX.

But how about a little more compact battery for DX, AA depth along the bottom, with just a double-length EN-EL3 type battery to minimize the added depth and weight of the body, 4 x AA Eneloop substitute when needed. And give me the pro features this time - viewfinder shutter, solidly attached screw-in view magnifier and right-angle, lock on meter mode and C/S/M switches. Even with those silly little viewfinder clips in pockets and bags and falling off straps, I still find myself without when I need one. I need this to handle rough treatment and not have things falling off or resetting when I'm operating with gloves on, jostled in a crowd or making a fast lens change. I admit it - I'm a klutz.

And speaking of fast lenses, how about a viewfinder screen redesign, or readily interchangeable screens, so we can focus those fast lenses in those dimly lit settings when we really need f/1.4, or f/2?

And the lenses. A pro DX camera demands an 18mm or 16mm f/2 AF-S, 24mm f/2 or f/1.8 AF-S, 12mm f/2.8 AF-S, 8mm f/4 or f/5.6 AF-S (or a wider zoom), an 18mm PC DX and 50-135 f/2.8 AF-S VR that's as good as the 70-200, but sharp enough for high-res DX.
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Pat

I would actually prefer an even smaller body, the likes of an FM2. Well made, lighter, lose the grip, better viewfinder, thinner, classic design, and lots of edges.

Obviously, that won't be the D400 as that would be too simple, wouldn't do video, wouldn't have AF, and a lot of other functions would be gone, but I wish there was a small, good-looking DSLR from Nikon that kept the essentials for slow photography.

I don't need FPS, I need AiS metering, large viewfinder, sturdy construction, thin body and no need for integrated flash. Would LOVE that.

In D400, I hope the format is kept: D300 size with all the bells and whistles and maybe a few surprises, but it is a GREAT camera already.
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Advice/criticism/appreciation appreciated!

That's the one film body I kept when I went digital.
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Pat

I LOVE the FM2 and am considering picking up another as mine is in pretty bad shape (and it's silver). There are some nice black ones in great shape for just a little money. My D200 is in horrid shape thanks to lots of bad accidents, but it works.

It feels like a van in comparison to the FM2 (jeep). Unfortunately, Digital uses battery so much more that you can't have a similar body size/style without going for something like Leica, which I just won't consider (money, I don't really like rangefinders, and the image).

But the day of small, well-built and well-designed SLR's is over.

Who knows, if Fuji come out with an X100 with interchangeable lenses, I might jump.

PatMann said:

That's the one film body I kept when I went digital.
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Pat

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Advice/criticism/appreciation appreciated!

I’m hoping the D300 and D700 replacements retain the add-on grip feature.

There are many times where I feel more comfortable shooting the body without the grip. As a PJ, there are many times where being a little more unobtrusive is key to getting good images and surviving the experience. Smaller bodies, and smaller lenses make it so one doesn’t stand out as much.

There are many times where I think the best camera lens combo is a bare D700 with a 24 or 28 and D300 with a 50 or 85. Makes it easier to work in crowds, and at least in my mind be a little more invisible than lugging the larger bodies and bigger zoom lenses.

I don’t know it I’ll replace the D300 just yet, but the D700 replacement has me very interested.

LensLineup wrote:

How about the D400 coming out as a DX body with a D3 form factor. It wouldn't need to be quite so big but imagine a D7000/D400 with built in vertical grip.

That would be a big (!) dealbreaker for me.

I would much rather prefer to add a grip when I need it instead of having it permanently attached. In fact I probably won't buy a D400 if it has the grip as a permanent part of the body; it is way too bulky.

The way I see it it is mainly portraiture and certain styles of action photography that benefits from a vertical grip; most other genres don't need it at all and it just ends up adding size/weight with few benefits.

After buying a D5100 as a smaller body for vacation and such I would actually be happy if they just stuck that sensor in a D300 body and called it D400 I have (to my surprise) more or less stopped using my D300s after getting the D5100; the difference when going past iso 800 is very noticeable.

There was a rumor that the D400 would come out in the old D2X body. Great for me as I have an expensive underwater housing for a D2X.

I seriously doubt it would ever happen. A D400 would be for advanced hobbyist, backup for pros, and those with too much money and too little knowledge of photography.

None of those are a group that wants to haul around a big old hulking camera. As others have mentioned you could add a grip if you want the extra bulk and performance. The D300 body is perfect. Just upgrade the innards.

Note, I wasn't making fun of people who would buy a D400 just because it would be top of the line. The most sophisticated camera on P is actually the easiest to shoot if your knowledge of photography is limited. It's just that a D7000 would be a better choice as it is aimed more at someone with limited knowledge and is of very high performance.
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The D300 is as big and heavy as I want to carry around with me, but I don't like the D7000. If the D400 is pro sized, I guess I'll just stick to my D300. Or see what the Canon 7D replacement looks like, when it comes along.

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Simon

i have to admit this is me. ( but i am learning and this forum is fantastic for this).

but l also appreciate great engineering and the D300s feels so beautifully made i enjoy using it, so the d7000 doesn't do it for me.

So looking forward to the D400 and i would like an articulated screen so i can take stealth shots of unsuspecting subjects! and better iso for indoor shots.

davephdv said:

and those with too much money and too little knowledge of photography.

None of those are a group that wants to haul around a big old hulking camera. As others have mentioned you could add a grip if you want the extra bulk and performance. The D300 body is perfect. Just upgrade the innards.

Note, I wasn't making fun of people who would buy a D400 just because it would be top of the line. The most sophisticated camera on P is actually the easiest to shoot if your knowledge of photography is limited. It's just that a D7000 would be a better choice as it is aimed more at someone with limited knowledge and is of very high performance.
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brettchris said:

So looking forward to the D400 and i would like an articulated screen

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I would like that too; rarely used the live view on my D300s, but after having it in my D5100 I use it a lot mainly because of the articulated screen.

Shooting over people's heads with your arms stretched out or going down to the ground without having to lay down in the mud - and still have reasonable control of what the camera 'sees' is actually something I have started to like a lot.

I still primarily use the viewfinder, but it is a nice addition.

... you are just faking it. It is like stuffing a sock in your briefs. Buy a D3 when the D4 comes out. Get what you want. And don't wish that fantasy on the rest of us.

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O.Cristo - An Amateur Photographer

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davephdv said:

A D400 would be for advanced hobbyist, backup for pros, and those with too much money and too little knowledge of photography.

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There is also the camp that wants the extra reach of Dx to live along side a full frame camera. It's more cost effective for me to buy a Dx body, rather than buy a 300mm F2.8. I've used two bodies in the past and for some stuff the utility can't be beaten. That's why I'm buying one.

So for me, the ideal D400 would be the same form factor as the D700 (And share it's grip) have 12-15MP resolution with similar noise and DR performance as the D700 and have the same focus engine. $2K for that and I'm in.

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William Cowan

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LensLineup said:

While we are guessing away at the sensor and spec ... anyone favour a change in form?

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Yes, but...

LensLineup said:

Like the D3 vs D700 shape with the D3 having a built in grip and super battery performance. How about the D400 coming out as a DX body with a D3 form factor.

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...no thanks. Not that change.

LensLineup said:

It wouldn't need to be quite so big but imagine a D7000/D400 with built in vertical grip.

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Not for me, I'd pass. Why pay for something I don't need and don't want, which only adds to the weight I need to carry without any advantages. The battery is powerful enough as it is, and if there is a need for the grip or more power there is always the external grip for those occasions.

LensLineup said:

I'd love a D3, I had a couple of well used D2H bodies, but the price of the D3 line is way out of my budget, a new look D400 DX pro mini D3 would be something I'd love to have.

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Well, that's fine but I hope you will not get it. Sorry. Anyway, I am not buying cameras for their look, but to use them.

wcowan said:

So for me, the ideal D400 would be the same form factor as the D700 (And share it's grip) have 12-15MP resolution with similar noise and DR performance as the D700 and have the same focus engine. $2K for that and I'm in.

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...that camera is called D300s, not D400. Additionally, the D300s has two card slots and video, as opposed to the D700.

brettchris said:

i would like an articulated screen so i can take stealth shots of unsuspecting subjects!

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Now THAT change is definitely something I want as well.

brettchris said:

and better iso for indoor shots.

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I think this one will come "for free". Both the D7000 and the D5100 is better at it so I don't expect the D400 to be worse than those two.

davephdv said:

A D400 would be for advanced hobbyist, backup for pros,

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Why? Do you seriously think Nikon will degrade the pro line and make it into a consumer quality? The D300 and the D300s are pro bodies, why would the D400 become less than that? There are no specific cameras for hobby photographers; anyone is allowed to buy any camera. Bodies are divided according to quality and functions, the highest DX is the D300s and it is a pro camera, built according to pro requirements in terms of ergonomics, functionality and mechanical quality. There are professionals who are using it as main camera just like there are amateurs using D3 or D3x as well.

davephdv said:

and those with too much money and too little knowledge of photography.

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huh?????????????????? How could you come up with such nonsense?

The noise and DR performance of the D300s is no where near as good as the D700. If it was, I'd have one already.

Cheers

olyflyer said:

wcowan said:

So for me, the ideal D400 would be the same form factor as the D700 (And share it's grip) have 12-15MP resolution with similar noise and DR performance as the D700 and have the same focus engine. $2K for that and I'm in.

Click to expand...

...that camera is called D300s, not D400. Additionally, the D300s has two card slots and video, as opposed to the D700.

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--
William Cowan

See some of my photos at http://www.radiantphotograph.com